KARACHI -Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi witnessed violence for one more time on Monday when the workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) workers clashed with each other in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of the city.
The skirmish escalated after both the parties decided to hold a political gathering on the same day (May 12) at the Hakeem Saeed Shaheed Ground.
The clashes were so severe that about a dozen people were left wounded as the raged loyalists attacked each other with sticks, stones; some even resorted to aerial firing.
Humayun Ahmed, Aziz Bhatti police station SHO and journalists were also among the injured who were rushed to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.
Workers from the parties also set alight two cars and several motorcycles parked outside the ground. Besides, the windows of cars parked outside the ground were also smashed.
Soon after the violence was reported by mainstream media outlets, Rangers and police reinforcements sprung into action. Moreover, PTI’s Karachi bigwig, Faisal Wada and the home minister Sindh reached the venue and successfully defused the escalating tension.
Chief Minister Sindh, Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and expressed that the PPP had acquired a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the concerned Deputy Commissioner for organising the gathering at the ground.
“It is not reasonable of PTI to try and encroach upon the venue and use force to hold its own gathering,” Murad said and clarified that the government would foil all conspiracies being hatched to derail peace in Karachi.
On the other hand, PTI leader Ali Zaidi deflected the blame and placed it on PPP leader Najmi Alam, saying the politician was leading the miscreants.
“Najmi Alam, who was intoxicated, had brought Akram Tunari roam around, pointing pistols at people. We went to have tea and they attacked the camp during our absence!” alleged Zaidi.
Pacifying the enraged workers to continue to remain peaceful despite the violence and provocation by the cowardly PPP.@AliHZaidiPTI #کراچی_مانگے_انصاف pic.twitter.com/XAv3IbvYcK
— PTI Karachi Official (@PTI_KHI) May 7, 2018
According to media reports, the PTI leaders had filed an application on May 6, asking the DC East for permission to hold a political event at the ground.
However, PPP’ Karachi Division President Saeed Ghani claimed that PPP had confirmed from the district administration that no other function was being organised by anybody else in the mentioned ground.
Imran Khan Reacts
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan tweeted on Tuesday that the use of violence by Pakistan Peoples Party reflected their fear of PTI’s popularity in Sindh.
https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/993725789051981824
“PTI workers were at their camp when PPP attacked them,” claimed the politician.
